Malt Messenger Bulletin – Kensington Wine Market’s One Day Only 18th Birthday Sale!

Dear Malt Messenger Subscribers,

I am in the midst of writing the May edition of the Malt Messenger, and there is lots to write about. But there is always some news that just can’t wait, and in that light I’ve put together this little Bulletin before the full Malt Messenger comes out next week. The key points are as follows with more details below:

1.       Our 18th Birthday Sale – This Saturday May 22nd Only

2.       Whisky Traveller Orkney – Moved to Friday May 28th @ 7PM.

3.       Laphroaig 18Yr

4.       Caol Ila 10Yr Unpeated Cask Strength

5.       Spring Single Malt Festival is Coming Up

I hope you enjoy this little Malt Messenger Bulletin!

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson

Kensington Wine Market Is Finally Legal (18) and We’re Celebrating with a Big Sale!

The Kensington Wine Market was one of the first privately owned liquor stores in Alberta, and has been serving the needs of Calgary’s wine, whisky and beer lovers ever since. We’ve developed a loyal following of customers from across the Country who visit us for our selection, tastings and knowledgeable service. It’s been a great 18 years, and we’re in the mood to celebrate.

Since first opening in May of 1992the business has evolved tremendously. Privatization was ushered in three years after we received our private vendor’s license. At the time, we could only sell wine. Much has changed. Our single malt section is one of the largest and comprehensive in Canada and our beer selection, while not the biggest, is certainly one of the very best. Customers have made KWM their go to stop for hard to find unique brews.

To help us celebrate, we invite you to “come on down” Saturday May 22 for a slice of birthday cake, a sip of bubbly and a sale! For this Saturday only we will offer you 15% discount on all in store discountable wine products and we’ll also offer 5% discount on all discountable beer. Our incredible single malt selection will be at least 5% off too, with some even better deals listed below. Hope to see you there, or make your order online at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com

1.       Amrut Peat Standard – $65.49 – Save 10%

2.       BenRiach Importanticus Fumosus 12Yr – $71.99 – Save 15%

3.       Bowmore Tempest Cask Strength – $81.99 – Save 15%

4.       Bruichladdich Legacy V – $410.49 – Save 15%

5.       Bruichladdich Legacy VI – $397.99 – Save 15%

6.       Cask 94 (Ardbeg) – $77.99 – Save 10%

7.       Dewar Rattray Ben Nevis 11Yr – $93.49 – Save 10%

8.       Duthies Auchentoshan 19Yr – $108.49 – Save 15%

9.     Duthies Caol Ila 13Yr – $87.49 – Save 15%

10.   Duthies Clynelish 14Yr – $91.99 – Save 15%

11.   Duthies Cragganmore 15Yr – $94.99 – Save 15%

12.   Duthies Glen Scotia 17Yr – $101.99 – Save 15%

13.   Duthies Laphroaig 11Yr – $98.99 – Save 15%

14.   G&M KWM Glen Grant 1966 – $499.99 – Save 25%

15.   G&M Strathisla 40Yr – $339.99 – Save 15%

16.   Glenfiddich 50Yr 50ml – $1390.99 – Save 25%

17.   Glen Garioch 21Yr – $114.99 – Save 10%

18.   Gold Bowmore 1964 – $4389.99 – Save 10%

19.   Ledaig 10Yr – $73.99 – Save 15%

20.   Macallan 18Yr – $172.99 – Save 10%

21.   Macallan 1973 Cask 6098 – $2379.99 – Save 10%

22.   Oban Distillers Edition (Double Matured) – $143.99 – Save 15%

23.   OMC Ardmore 30Yr – $192.99 – Save 15%

24.   OMC KWM Port Ellen 25Yr – $249.99 – Save 15%

25.   Port Ellen 29Yr (8th Release) – $361.99 – Save 10%

26.   Secret Stills Isle of Skye 1986 (Tallisker) – $232.49 – Save 10%

27.   Springbank 1996 KWM Oloroso Cask – $109.99 – Save 20%

28.   Suntory Yamazaki 12Yr – $55.49 – Save 10%

29.   The Ballechin 2nd Release (Peated Edradour) – $105.99 – Save 15%

30.   Jack Daniels KWM Single Barrel – $49.99 – Save 15%

31.   Black Grouse – $28.99 – Save 10%

32.   Johnnie Walker Black Label – $45.99 – Save 10%

33.   Johnnie Walker Swing – $46.99 – Save 15%

34.   Tullamore Dew 12Yr – $39.49 – Save 10%

The Whisky Traveler Orkney – Friday May 28th – NEW DATE – $65

Due to some conflicts we pushed back the date of the Whisky Traveller Orkney tasting to this coming Friday, May 28th. The tasting will focus on the Orkneys and its distillers, as well as the nearby Old Pulteney distillery which is the northernmost on Scotland’s mainland. Those present will sample the full range of Highland Park’s 12, 18, 25 and 30 year olds as well as the new Scapa 16Yr, the Old Pulteney 12Yr and the Black Adder Old Man of Hoy (is it Scapa or Highland Park?).

The Orkneys are one of the most beautiful and unique destinations in Scotland. The Archipelago has its own distinct culture, some of the best preserved Stone Age sites in Europe and two iconic distilleries. This will be an excellent tasting with some fantastic whiskies and some incredible slides.

Laphroaig 18Yr – Very Limited Quantities in Stock – $101.99 – 1 Bottle / Customer

Laphroaig has long been a favourite whisky of Albertans and Western Canadians. However about 5 years ago, with supplies short, the distillery pulled it’s 10 year old out of our market, replacing it with the Quarter Cask. This younger expression, although perfectly drinkable in its own right has never really filled the gap. Things have started to slowly change this year. While the 10 year old is still not available, let alone the 10 Year Old Cask Strength, we have seen some limited quantities of the 25 Year and now the 18 year old. I hope this is a sign of things to come, but only time will tell.

The Laphroaig 18Yr is the replacement for the old 15. It has been bottled at 48% and has received good reviews from: Jim Murray 94pts, “absolutely brimming with character”; John Hansell 90pts, “very smooth for Laphroaig; and Whisky Fun 87pts.

More on Laphroaig in the next full Malt Messenger!

Caol Ila 10Yr Unpeated Cask Strength – $103.99

This new bottling of Caol Ila is part of the Diageo 2009 slate of Special Releases. The Caol Ila 10Yr is unusual for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it is made from unpeated malt. Once a year Caol Ila makes a small batch of unpeated spirit solely for blending. It has only once before been bottled as a single malt in the form of an 8 year old in 2007. The eight year old was good, but I think this one is even better. Secondly, the strength of this Caol Ila is a whopping 65.8%. Most distilleries, including those of Diageo fill at around 63% in order to make it easier to trade casks for blending. Given than alcohol is lost to evaporation at the rate of 1-3% per year, it is astounding to see a Diageo whisky at such a strength.

Only 120 bottles of this whisky have made it into the province, and having tried it early I managed to get my hands on 60 of them. I’ll have my own tasting note in the next Malt Messenger, in the interim, here is John Hansell of Malt Advocate’s:

“Good viscosity and rather sweet, showing thick, honeyed vanilla, gobs of fruit (lemon drops, lime tart, ripe Bartlett pear, kiwi), mint jelly, and cut grass. Its sea influence finally emerges towards the finish with brine and just a hint of seaweed.”

The Spring Single Malt Festival – Thursday June 10th – 7PM – $60

Our ever popular semi-annual whisky festival is nearly upon us. Limited to 100 participants who will have the opportunity to sample from more than 80 premium single malts, it sells out every year so be sure to sign up early! The price includes your own Glencairn whisky glass and a lot of fun.

This year’s special treats include:

1.       Ardbeg Rollecoaster – Only available at the distillery.

2.       Kilchoman Second Release – Sold out before it hit the floor!

3.       Eagle Rare 17Yr – Not available in Alberta!

4.       William Larue Weller – Not available in Alberta!

5.       Sazerac 18Yr – Not available in Alberta!

6.       Thomas Handy – Not available in Alberta!

7.       George T Stagg – Not available in Alberta!

·         And much, much more to come…

Keep an eye out for a more complete list of what you will be able to sample at the Spring Single Malt Festival in future Malt Messengers.

____________________

 If you have any whisky questions or comments concerning The Malt Messenger please contact me by e-mail, phone, or drop by the store. Feel free to forward me any whisky news you feel should be included in a future issue of The Malt Messenger; it might just get included.

All of the products mentioned in THE MALT MESSENGER can be purchased in store, over the phone or from our website at www.kensingtonwinemarket.com.. All prices quoted in the Malt Messenger are subject to change!

Thanks for reading the Malt Messenger!

Slainte!

Andrew Ferguson
KWM Scotchguy

403-283-8000
888-283-9004
1257 Kensington Rd. NW
Calgary, AB, Canada
T2N 3P8

scotchguy@kensingtonwinemarket.com